C2 Brake Light Problem

[Leo M.]

The left rear brake light will not function on my 66. The right brake light does function properly, as do the turn signals on both sides and the parking/headlights. I have tried replacing the 1157 bulbs, tightened the grounds and even tried a separate ground wire from the left light directly to the frame. I have cleaned the connections at the firewall and the connection between the rear harness and the main wiring harness. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.

[Stephen L.]

Re: C2 Brake Light Problem

A suspect is the turn signal switch is faulty. I'd test the circuit with a voltmeter to see if there is voltage at the bulb socket pin when the brakes are applied and the turn signal is NOT activated. Part of the switch circuitry allows the brake light to flash when brakes AND turn signal are energized simultaneously......

[Richard M.]

Re: C2 Brake Light Problem

Leo,

I agree with Stephen that the Directional switch is likely the problem. What you may want to do is to have a observer watch the lamps while wiggling the switch lever. If it's intermittent then that proves it's the switch.

For reference here are switch diagrams, original wire colors and repro switch colors.

Ref post Here which also has a link about the (standard)column removal.

Rich

[Leo M.]

Re: C2 Brake Light Problem

Thanks for the suggestions regarding the turn signal switch. I removed the steering wheel assembly (interesting experience as the car as a tele column) and got to the turn signal switch. Did not really find anything broken or loose, but cleaned it up, made sure all the connections were snug and reassembled everything. Bingo, brake light now works.

[Stephen L.]

Re: C2 Brake Light Problem

Leo, now you are the 1966 turn signal/brake light guru.......

[Richard M.]

Re: C2 Brake Light Problem

Leo,

It may be that when you took everything apart you unknowingly wiggled something to fix a bad connection, likely on the switch internal contacts between the White wire input to the Yellow output wire to the Left Stop lamp circuit. I say this because the Yellow wire is also used in the Left Directional Lamp path, so I doubt it was a external connection fault.

I hope it stays fixed for you. However, I've found that intermittent electrical connections often come back to haunt.

Rich

[James W.]

Re: C2 Brake Light Problem

Leo,

My diagnosis was that your wiring harness connection at the base of your steering column was not making good connection. If it isn't completely pressed together you will have the exact problem you were describing. I chased this same issue about a year ago on my '65 and this is what the problem was. Since you explained that you had the column out to look for the problem you fixed it when you reconnected the wiring connection and didn't even know it. Glad you were able to fix the problem.


Regards,

James West

The left rear brake light will not function on my 66. The right brake light does function properly, as do the turn signals on both sides and the parking/headlights. I have tried replacing the 1157 bulbs, tightened the grounds and even tried a separate ground wire from the left light directly to the frame. I have cleaned the connections at the firewall and the connection between the rear harness and the main wiring harness. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.